Stanford eases away, earns 34-20 win over Army

The fifth-ranked Cardinal, making their first trip to West Point in 37 years, didn’t cruise to victory over Army today at picturesque Michie Stadium, as widely expected. But they emerged victorious, steadying the ship in the second half to claim a 34-20 victory over the Black Knights.

Army narrowed the final margin by scoring a touchdown against Stanford’s backup defense with 17 seconds left in the game.

Running back Tyler Gaffney led the way with 132 yards on 20 carries, his second consecutive game of 100-plus rushing yards. Gaffney scored one touchdown on the ground and added another on a TD catch. Wide receiver Ty Montgomery helped stretch Army’s defense, with six catches for 130 yards, including a 46-yard score in the second quarter.

Stanford’s defense occasionally struggled against Army’s persistent running game, but the Cardinal held firm in the second half.

Stanford found some breathing room midway through the third quarter, after linebacker James Vaughters recovered an Army fumble at the Cardinal 43-yard line. Quarterback Kevin Hogan promptly led Stanford downfield, completing a 27-yard pass to Ty Montgomery before repeatedly handing the ball to the relentless Gaffney.

Gaffney, though, was called for a facemask penalty when he stiff-armed a prospective Army tackler. On the very next play, Hogan found Gaffney wide open along the sideline and they connected on a 23-yard touchdown pass, stretching the Cardinal lead to 27-13.

They erased all doubt early in the fourth quarter, thanks in part to a sturdy defensive stand. Stanford stopped Army on 4th-and-1 and took possession at the Black Knights’ 28-yard line. Then a steady dose of Gaffney — once bouncing outside but mostly staying between the tackles — led to another Cardinal touchdown and a 34-13 cushion.

Stanford led 20-13 at halftime, an uncomfortably narrow margin given expectations of a lopsided win and Army’s first-half success on the ground. The Black Knights led the nation in rushing last season, averaging nearly 370 yards per game, and their distinctive triple-option attack — with creative twists and funky angles — seemed to confuse Stanford at times.

Army gained 157 yards rushing before halftime, effectively controlling the ball and at least creating the possibility of a massive upset. Much to Stanford’s relief, that didn’t happen.

The Cardinal, now 2-0, play their Pac-12 opener next Saturday at home against Arizona State.